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Matthews: ‘I think I wasted a lot of energy’

by Shane Stokes

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Disappointed with his third place in Sunday’s elite world road race championships, Michael Matthews has reflected on the race and his bronze medal, and explained where he thinks the race was lost. “What I would change? I wouldn’t attack so many times on the final climb,” he said. “I didn’t know it would come down to such a big bunch sprint, but I think I wasted a lot of energy when I was trying to go with the moves and attacking myself on the climb.

“If I could take something back, I’d probably sit back with these guys [Kristoff and Sagan] and cruise up the climb. I [think] that’s what’s zapped me for the sprint.”

Although the main group broke up due to the ascent of Salmon Hill, the splits weren’t serious and the select peloton reformed. Those out front were mopped up before the sprint, and there Sagan and Kristoff proved quickest.

“I jumped a lot with guys attacking but they were never really going anywhere,” said Matthews, reflecting on how things played out on the climb. “The bunch was still too big and I wasted energy from doing that. Sagan was still sitting back in the bunch and gambling on it coming back together. Maybe that’s what I should have done too. There’s nothing I can do now, I guess.”

“It was a pretty hectic and there were a lot of attacks going inside the final five kilometres. I just tried to play it cool and save my legs for the sprint. I was in a good position with around 500m to go but I got a little bit swamped by Sagan and one of the Czech riders. I tried to fight my way back between the last two corners but I wasted that energy when I needed it for the sprint.”